Zebrafish study reveals hitherto unknown mechanism for cleft palate

London, February 12 (ANI): University of Oregon scientists say that a genetic mutation in zebrafish has shed new light on the mechanism that leads to cleft palate a common birth defect often seen in humans, which is characterised by a split in the top of the inside of the mouth that makes it difficult for one to speak.

The new findings attain significance because many molecular pathways in zebrafish are present in humans.

During the study, the 10-member research team isolated a disruption in early developmental signalling involving a platelet-derived growth-factor protein called Pdgf, and a microRNA known as Mirn140.

The researchers say that mutant zebrafish lacking Pdgf had cleft palate similar to many human babies, showing that this growth factor helps to organize cells that make the palate.

They also saw that zebrafish into which too much Mirn140 was injected also had cleft palate.

Based on their observations, the researchers came to the conclusion that cleft palate may result from too little Pdgfra that occurs because of either a mutation in the Pdgfra gene or too much Mirn140.

“We showed that this microRNA regulates the expression of the gene by controlling the migration of precursor cells to the palate-forming area. This is a novel mechanism never before described,” Nature Genetics quoted principal investigator John H. Postlethwait, a professor of biology and member of the UO’s Institute of Molecular Biology and Institute of Neuroscience, as saying.

The authors of the study, however, caution that the findings do not point toward new clinical applications.

“Further exploration of how microRNAs and other factors modulate signaling pathways such as the Pdgf pathway during palatogenesis will assuredly continue to provide insights into the cause of, and possible treatments for, human craniofacial disease,” they said. (ANI)